Islamic preacher goes on trial for Bali bombings

AN Islamic preacher who prosecutors say was the operations chief of an al-Qaida-linked terror group went on trial yesterday for last year’s Bali bombings, which killed more than 200 people.

Prosecutors allege Ali Gufron, 43, fought under Osama bin Laden in Afghanistan and was in charge of operations for Jemaah Islamiyah, which is blamed for the October 12 Bali blasts.

Dressed in a white Muslim shirt and skull cap, he raised his fist and angrily shouted “God is Great” as he took the stand in a temporary courthouse on the resort island.